By ADEM SARICAOGLU
IF Robbie Lynch’s game plan clicks with his players this season, the Riddell District Football League better watch out.
That’s the warning coming from Rockbank’s new coach ahead of this weekend’s season opener against Melton Centrals.
“If we get it right it’s going to be pretty spectacular because nobody would be thinking about us,” Lynch told Star.
“I think the whole competition is going to take a step up this year so if you’re not going to improve this year you’re going to be left behind, and that goes for the top teams right through to the bottom teams.”
After a long summer that included a coaching change and a promising bag of new recruits, Lynch said his boys can’t wait to put their lofty ambitions to the test, beginning this Saturday against their local rival.
“We’re looking very good,” Lynch said.
“We’re dying for the bounce of the ball, to be honest. You can only train so much and practice games are exactly that, so it’s good to get into the real thing.
“We’ve picked up about 20 new players – so we’re definitely in a better position than we were last year and I think the opposition will definitely be underestimating us, which is fine by us.
“They’re going to get a bit of a shock when they play Rockbank this year.”
Lynch made it clear the end goal isn’t necessarily silverware, but he does hope for a significant improvement on the 6-10 record the Rams produced in 2013.
First and foremost, though, Lynch says it’s imperative to produce consistent four-quarter efforts more often.
“This year it’s about consistency and playing better for longer periods, so not playing patches in quarters,” Lynch said.
“It’s about sustaining it. Skill level is something we’ve really improved on from last year but that’s got to go up a notch as well.
“We play really well against the top sides but with the sides around us and below us, there just seems to be these lapses.
“So we want to eradicate them and put ourselves in the best possible position to win as many games as we can.”
Lynch will assess during the year just how his Rams stack up against the rest of the RDFL, but did ensure finals are in his sights.
“I’m quietly confident that Rockbank will play finals in 2014,” he said.
“In every game that Rockbank plays, the teams are going to know that it will be a really good, tough contest.”
